By Emile Dawisha | Development Director
PROGRAM SPOTLIGHT
Harnessing Tech to Help Refugee Women Thrive in a 21st Century Economy
REFUGEE WOMEN AND THE DEEP DIGITAL DIVIDE
While Nairobi is recognized as Africa’s premier tech hub, the city's 50,000+ refugee women are largely disconnected from the digital economy due to high poverty rates, interrupted schooling, and gender inequality. With limited digital literacy and access to internet connection and devices, refugee women often eke out livings in Nairobi's informal sector - i.e. roadside kiosks, street-food vendors, housekeeping.
Further, the lack of digital literacy often causes deep isolation among refugee women by cutting off their connections to society and support networks. According to a World Bank study, up to 30% of refugee women in Nairobi face total information isolation, lacking regular access to localized media or basic communications platforms.
MAXIMIZING TRADITIONAL TRADES IN THE DIGITAL ECONOMY
RefuSHE integrates a 6-month digital literacy course into its vocational training programs (Fashion & Design and Beauty Art & Nail). These trainings not only cover the basics to help them navigate the digital world; they also teach them how to market their vocational skills and generate sustainable income in Nairobi's digital gig economy.
This curriculum complements the vocational training they receive on our campus, bridging the gap between traditional trades and Nairobi's modern gig economy. As self-employed entrepreneurs, these young women can generate sustainable income in a highly competitive job market where roughly 67% of Kenya's young people are unemployed. Further, the flexibility of self-employment is particularly important for young women who are, or plan to be, mothers or family guardians (nearly one-third of our students are mothers).
“Digital skills training is essential for us because it lets us create our own opportunities instead of waiting for someone to hire us. This is especially important for refugees who might face barriers in traditional jobs.” - Rebecca, RefuSHE Digital Literacy graduate
To learn more about the impact of our Digital Literacy course, read this alumni spotlight about Rebecca, a 19-year old digital entrepreneur.
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